Stromal cell networks regulate thymocyte migration and dendritic cell behavior in the thymus

J Immunol. 2011 Mar 1;186(5):2835-41. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1003563. Epub 2011 Jan 28.

Abstract

After entry into thymus, T cell progenitors migrate in the cortex and the medulla while completing their education. Recent reports have documented the dynamic and tortuous behavior of thymocytes. However, other than chemokines and/or segregated thymic substrates, the factors contributing to the dynamic patterns of thymocyte movement are poorly characterized. By combining confocal and dynamic two-photon microscopy, we demonstrate that thymocytes continuously migrate on thymic stromal cell networks. In addition to constituting "roads" for thymocytes, we observed that these networks also provide a scaffold on which dendritic cells attach themselves. These results highlight the central role of stromal microanatomy in orchestrating the multiple cellular interactions necessary for T cell migration/development within the thymus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens / physiology
  • Cell Communication / genetics
  • Cell Communication / immunology*
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Movement / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / cytology*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton
  • Radiation Chimera
  • Stromal Cells / cytology
  • Stromal Cells / immunology
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Thymus Gland / cytology*
  • Thymus Gland / immunology*
  • Thymus Gland / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens